The document provides information about operating and maintaining septic systems. It discusses key components of septic systems including the septic tank, soil treatment system, and proper maintenance practices. The presentation emphasizes the importance of proper operation and maintenance to protect human health, the environment, and homeowners' investments in their septic systems.

1. Operation and Maintenance of Septic Systems: Protect Your Investment

2. Please turn off or silence your cell phone Thanks!

4. Operation and Maintenance of Septic Systems: Protect Your Investment Doug Malchow Extension Educator On-Site Sewage Treatment Program 507-280-5575 [email_address] http://septic.umn.edu (no www in front) Click on “Homeowner Information”

10. Septic System Owner’s Guide

16. WHAT IS SEWAGE? Used water

18. All wastewater must be treated

20. Septic Tank

21. System Components Source Tank Drainfield Treatment in Soil Saturated Zone or Confining Layer Well 3 feet

22. Mound Drainfield Saturated Zone or Confining Layer Distribution Pipes Rock Topsoil Sand 3 feet

23. Mound System Slightly more “advanced”: electricity required Source Septic Tank Soil Pump Tank Sand

25. Pretreatment Units Source Drainfield Saturated Zone or Confining Layer Well Septic Tank Pretreatment Unit

26. Peat Filter Peat Filter

27. Textile Filter

28. Aerobic Treatment Unit

31. Leaky Tanks

32. A Surfacing System: An imminent health threat

33. Surfacing Systems

34. Inadequate Vertical Separation Source Tank Drainfield Treatment in Soil Saturated zone or confining layer Well 1 foot

35. System Components Source Tank Drainfield Treatment in Soil Saturated zone or confining layer Well 3 feet

37. Pathogens - captured by the soil Soil is Sticky Electrical charges

38. Aerobic Soil bacteria snacks! Held long enough to starve!

39. Treatment Performance of Soil: Fecal Coliform Removal Source: Onsite Sewage Treatment Program Manual Backgrd. Backgrd. - 100 1,000 to 1 million 1 million to 100 million Fecal Coliform (colonies/100ml; less than ½ cup) Three Feet of Soil Treatment One Foot of Soil Treatment Septic Tank Effluent Raw Sewage Component of Sewage

40. Where are nutrients treated? Tank? Soil? What happens to them?

42. Where are solids treated? Organics and Inorganics Tank? Soil? What happens to them?

44. Septic Tank

51. Septic Tank

64. Continual traffic is a problem

71. Landscaping

72. Photo: Look for greener stripes

73. Installation Flexibility

76. Questions? http://septic. umn.edu (no www in front) “Info for Homeowners” or “Publications” (on right side of page)

77. System type depends on the soil redoximorphic features